The remarks made by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Zappone, yesterday in respect of Scouting Ireland have caused a great deal of anxiety and concern, particularly among scouting families. It is not clear whether she was informing us of a new problem or simply opening a window into a process of review and improvement within Scouting Ireland of which we are aware and which has been ongoing for many months.

Let us be clear that the first and foremost issue here is child protection. Since the scandals of child abuse in this country, the State has built up a range of invaluable safeguarding procedures and processes. Child abuse is a dreadful stain on our history. The State and all voluntary organisations must work together with parents and families to protect all our children.

However, we must also take great care in what we say, especially if it impacts on volunteers in any sector. From the responses of the Minister, Deputy Zappone, to date, it is still not clear to me what is new about the letter from Tusla to Scouting Ireland. Scouting Ireland and other major national organisations such as the GAA, the FAI and all the others have instituted detailed child protection policies in recent years. The Minister's comments yesterday suggested that parents need to be wary of sending their children to overnight scouting events, while some media commentary today suggested that scouting itself could be undermined. These are very serious matters. The letter from Tusla states, "we are concerned about the apparent lack of progress in reviewing the policies, procedures, training and culture which underpin the [Scouting Ireland] service, and we are of the view that these concerns should be escalated to you as CEO." Is this a new issue or is it simply a letter to the CEO asking him to accelerate an ongoing process?

The letter is dated 18 February. I understand that last Monday Tusla met the board of Scouting Ireland but none of the eight items in the letter were raised. Is this true? Has Tusla previously met the board? I understand that some of the actions being sought by Tusla have been ongoing for some time. In July 2017, Scouting Ireland commissioned a review of the handling of child protection cases. This review and the implementation of changes have been led by a safeguarding specialist who is beyond reproach on this issue. Scouting Ireland staff have engaged with Tusla and the Garda since then.

This House and the families involved need to know whether there is a new problem in Scouting Ireland. I ask the Tánaiste to provide a timeline of events and explain exactly what are the concerns of the Government or the Minister regarding Scouting Ireland that have come to light this week. We need to give assurances and support to the many parents and thousands of scouting volunteers who are deeply worried about what the Minister had to say yesterday.

I thank the Deputy for the opportunity to clarify a number of the issues he raised. Yesterday, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs received a copy of a letter dated 18 February written by Tusla to the CEO of Scouting Ireland, who raised serious issues regarding the handling of several recent child protection cases and criticised the apparent lack of progress in reviewing the policies, procedures, training and culture which underpin Scouting Ireland's service. The letter makes a number of recommendations to the organisation. These include the need to review the Scouting Ireland child safeguarding statement and procedures, an urgent review of the manner in which the organisation managed current child protection concerns and disclosures from children, an immediate review of the supervision of children involved in scouting and issues concerning the operation of a helpline. The letter also recommends that Scouting Ireland should consider the viability of continuing with overnight trips given the concerns outlined.

The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs is determined to ensure the safety of all children and young people participating in Scouting Ireland services. She is anxious that parents should be aware of the situation in order that they can make informed decisions and know that actions are under way to ensure that all reasonable steps are being taken by Tusla to assist in strengthening the child protections within Scouting Ireland. The Minister previously suspended funding to Scouting Ireland, but restored it on the basis of work done by the organisation and an independent report which she commissioned. In light of Tusla's recommendations to the Minister, following consultation with the chief social worker in her Department, she is now directing Scouting Ireland to co-operate with Tusla to define a robust framework for the safety of children and, in particular, the supervision of children involved in scouting activities. In the meantime, Tusla will establish a helpline with effect from Thursday 28 February for children and parents who wish to raise concerns. Scouting Ireland is due to provide a progress report to the Minister at the end of March which will deal with progress on governance issues and historic cases. The Minister will also receive regular progress reports on the implementation of the Tusla recommendations.

The direct answer to the Deputy's question is this is an ongoing relationship.

There is nothing new.

The Deputy should not say there is nothing new.

I was asking a question.

The Deputy just said there is nothing new.

I asked, "Is there nothing new?"

The Minister made a decision to publish the letter so that this is dealt with in an open and transparent way. Concerns remain in regard to the need for Scouting Ireland to put procedures in place to ensure they are fully consistent with Tusla recommendations on child protection because we know there have been real concerns and cases of concern in the past. This is an ongoing process whereby Tusla will work directly with Scouting Ireland to make sure we can provide the necessary reassurance that many parents will demand.

The Tánaiste will be aware that there are thousands of parents whose children will be going on camps, some of them this weekend. I seek clarity on the knowledge of the Government and the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in regard to these matters. The Tánaiste stated that the Government is directing Scouting Ireland to co-operate with Tusla. Is he saying that it is not co-operating with Tusla?

That is not what I said.

I have asked the question. The Tánaiste can answer it in due course. Did Tusla meet the board of Scouting Ireland last Monday - subsequent to the letter - but not raise any of the issues in the letter at that meeting? My understanding from an announcement on the 1 o'clock news is that Scouting Ireland is going ahead with its camps this weekend. Is it the view of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs that that should not be the case?

No. I am surprised at the defensive tone of the Deputy's questioning on this issue. The Minister is trying to act in a way that is transparent, open and responsible------

She should be clear.

-----to prioritise first and foremost the safety of children. We know there have been cases of children who have been in totally inappropriate situations linked to Scouting Ireland in the past. Scouting Ireland is a very positive organisation and we want it to work, but we also need to ensure that Tusla brings its experience to bear on the necessary restructuring and procedures that need to be in place to give parents the reassurance they need.

Is it?

That is why the Minister instructed that the CEO work with Tusla at the highest level of the organisation------

I understand they have had 40 meetings.

-----to make sure that is the case. If she was not still concerned in regard to the need for that work to continue, she would not have said it. The letter states that parents should seek assurances that no overnight trips take place without adequate numbers of trained supervisors. Scouting Ireland must ensure that each of these supervisors knows the exact steps to take if a child comes to them with a concern or if something happens. Parents who seek these assurances and ask sensible questions are behaving in a reasonable and responsible manner. What the Minister is saying to parents is that they should ask the appropriate questions and get assurance from Scouting Ireland that appropriate numbers and supervision are in place before making an informed decision.